Tsum Valley Trek

Before you head toward the enthralling regions in the Himalayas, this day in your adventure will be a sightseeing day around the Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu is home to 7 of the World UNESCO Heritage Sites, so it would be a waste not to take this chance to explore these magnificent marvels in the valley.

After the excursion is over, you will be transferred back to your respective hotel. You can use leisure time on this day and Day 01 to buy or rent necessary gear if you haven’t finished your shopping yet. Overnight stay at hotel in Kathmandu.

Elevation Loss: 462 meters/ 1,515 feet

Drive Duration: 9-10 hours

An exciting day’s adventure awaits you on this day. After breakfast, you will leave the Kathmandu Valley on a comfortable vehicle heading toward the starting point of this adventure. You will drive on the Prithivi Highway, enjoying the surreal beauty of this landlocked country following the crusading rapids of the Trishuli and Marsyangdhi Rivers.

After a few hours of driving, you will then reach Dhading Bensi; you will leave the paved road behind from here and do some off-roading toward your destination. Switching to the trails alongside the Budhi Gandaki River, you will first make your way toward Arughat Bazaar from here.

Then, the trail up ahead leads you to Soti Khola. From here, you will drive past the paddy fields, rivulets, and waterfalls, including the Gurung settlements of Khursane and Labubesi Village, before reaching Machha Khola, your resting destination tonight.

Elevation Gain: 527 meters/ 1,729

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

Moving further ahead in the charming trekking trails, you will leave Machha Khola behind on this day and overcome several ascending-descending sections to reach Tharo Khola. Then, after crossing the river, you will reach Khorlabesi, and trekking further ahead will take you to Tatopani, the natural hot spring.

Your trekking trail on this day continues on the eastern bank of the Budhi Gandaki River; you will cross a suspension bridge over the river to reach Dobhan. During the last part of this day’s trek, you will cross a suspension bridge over the Yaru Khola, which then leads to the stone staircases of the Tharo Bharyang.

From here, you will continue with your ascending trail on stone staircases to reach Jagat. This beautiful high-altitude village is the checkpoint for the Manaslu Conservation Area; you will need to get your permits checked here before moving along with your trekking route.

Elevation Gain: 630 meters/ 2,066 feet

Trek Duration: 6-7 hours

This day’s trekking will take you to the restricted area of the Tsum Valley, so you need to get your permits checked here before leaving Jagat. Crossing the Dudh Pokhari Khola during the first segment of this day’s trek, you will move along the serene trails toward the village of Salleri. Enjoying the rewarding views of Sringi and other adjacent peaks, you will then make your descent to Sirdibas.

Then, you will continue your Himalaya exploration and make your descent to a bridge over the Budhi Gandaki River. After crossing the bridge, you will then reach the Philim Village. Moving further in your ascending route, you will then pass Ekle Bhatti to reach Lokpa Village which is situated between the Budhi Gandaki River and Shiar Khola.

This high-altitude settlement is also the entry point of the Tsum Valley, and you will have to show your permit at its checkpoint. You will rest here tonight, relishing the enchanting views of the Manaslu range.

Elevation Gain: 323 meters/ 1,059 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

In today’s trekking trekking adventure, you will head toward Chumling which is also known as Lower Tsum. After breakfast, you will move along the narrow gorge, enjoying the enticing views of the Ganesh Himal and Boudha Himal. Your trekking route further ahead drops to the basin of the Lungwa River Valley, and you will trek across the charming rhododendron, pine, and juniper forests.

After crossing the Sarli Khola, you will follow the trails toward the north bank of the river, the gradual ascend from this point onward will then take you to the Chumling Village. You will be able to witness the spiritual lifestyle of the Tibetan Buddhist communities after arriving at the village. A short hike from the village will take you to the three major monasteries in the region: Panago Gompa, Gurwa Gompa, and Mani Dhungyur Gompa.

Elevation Gain: 647 meters/ 2,122 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

After breakfast, you will hike for about 2 hours alongside the Shiar Khola, leaving Chumling to reach Dumje, the largest town in the entire Tsum Valley. This day’s trekking trail will reward you with amazing views of the Ganesh Himal as you trek past Rainjam to reach the Gho Village.

Then, following the ascending trail, you will head toward Chhokangparo. This charming destination actually comprises two settlements, Chhokang and Paro, and you will be able to soak in the serene ambiance of this Buddhist Village. From this village, you will also be able to catch the incredible views of Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal. You should definitely try the Tibetan butter tea this region is popular for.

Elevation Gain: 351 meters/ 1,151 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

This day’s trekking adventure will take you to the western side of the valley and to the last village on the northern side of the upper Tsum Valley. After breakfast, you will follow the flat trail along the north banks of the Shiar Khola and make your way toward the remote village of the valley Lamagaun.

Moving further in your ascending route, you will also pass other delightful traditional settlements like Bursi, Phurbey, Lar, Chhule and Pungdun. You will also have the opportunity to stop at the Phiren Phu Cave, a.k.a Pigeon Cave, where Buddhist guru Milarepa mediated and is believed to have left a footprint in the cave.

Then, continuing further in your trekking trail, you will travel across the lush meadow and cross a suspension bridge over the Shiar Khola during the last stretch to reach the Nile Village.

Elevation Gain: 339 meters/ 1,12 feet

Trek Duration: 5 hours

After breakfast, you will continue following the isolated, serene trails that lead you to even deeper parts of the Tsum Valley. Moving along with your descending trail, a 2-hour walk will first take you to the Dephyudonma Monastery. This is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the region that has been here since the dawn of Buddhism in the region.

After exploring this spiritual marvel, you will then continue with your gradually ascending trekking trail to reach the farther corner of the Tsum Valley, where Mu Gompa is located. This monastery is the highest point of the valley and was established by the Bhutanese Lama, Drupa Rinpoche, in 1895 when he came to mediate in the nearby caves. This monastery contains many ancient religious books, portraits, and inscriptions. There is also a life-sized statue of Avalkotieshwara and portraits of Padmasambhava and Tara, Buddhist gurus.

Elevation Loss: 460 meters/ 1,509 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

Move along with the next part of your spiritual exploration; this day’s adventure will take you to a Buddhist nunnery located in the Shiar Khola Valley. During this part of the trek, you will return to Chhule and head toward Phurba. From here, you will follow the route on the east bank of the Shiar Khola and pass Pangdun Village before reaching Rachen Gompa.

This nunnery was built in 1905 and houses the Ngak Pa Sect nuns. The interiors of the monastery are inscribed with murals of Buddhist history and teaching. There is also a place where travelers can lodge inside the monastery. In this monastery, you will have the opportunity to witness the praying rituals and the day-to-day activities of monks who have given up on materialistic happiness, embracing the spiritual lifestyle.

Elevation Loss: 800 meters/ 2,624 feet

Trek Duration: 4-5 hours

Leaving the spiritual ambiance of the Rachem Gompa behind, you will follow the trails to the south, which leads you toward Chhokangparo. You will then descend down from here to reach the Chumling Village. The views of the Ganesh Himal on the horizon are simply magnificent in this trekking trail.

About 2 hours of trekking will take you to the Gho, where you can explore a small white gompa. Then, you will descend even further with your trekking trail to reach the riverbed of Shiar Khola; you will then cross a wooden bridge over the river to reach the Dumje Village. This village has a school and a Tibetan herbal medicine clinic. Overnight stay at Dumje.

Elevation Gain: 760 meters/ 2,493 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

After leaving Dumje behind on this day’s enthralling trekking trail, you will traverse across the lush rhododendron, pine, and juniper forests. Trekking alongside the prayer flags and mani walls, you will move on the zigzag uphill trail above the Lungdang Khola on an exposed slope.

On this day’s trekking adventure, you won’t pass through any settlements, and you will only trek across the forested trails. During the last final part of this day’s trek, you will ascend through a silver pine forest to finally reach the Lungdang Gumba. This is the oldest monastery for the female Lamas, and you will find the separate houses around the gumba that are designated for the nuns.

Gumba Lungdang is located in front of Ganesh Himal, and you will be able to catch the incredible views of other towing peaks in the region from here.

Elevation Loss: 732 meters/ 2,401 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

You will start the trekking adventure on this day after a hearty breakfast. Following the same route across the scenic forested areas, you will descend back to Dumje. After crossing the wooden bridge over Shiar Khola, you will make your way toward the Ripchet Village across the deep side canyons and mostly flat trails inside the jungle.

The charming waterfalls along this day’s trekking trails will make the exploration even more delightful. Ricochet is a big settlement in the area and is located on the top of a ridge over the terraced farming lands.

Elevation Loss: 1,398 meters/ 4,586 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

This day’s trekking adventure will descend to even further altitudes, and you will have it easy following the gradually declining altitudes. Trekking past the beautiful settlements of the Lower Tsum Valley, you traverse across many charming settlements; you will finally make your return to Dobhan. This charming settlement is located in the confluence of the Shiar Khola on the east side and Sarpu Khola on the west side. Overnight stay at Dobhan.

Elevation Loss: 350 meters/ 1,148 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

From Dobhan, you will continue retracing your steps on the descending trail to reach the starting point of this trekking adventure. During the first part of today’s trek, you will cross a suspension bridge over teh Dudh Koshi River and trek past the delightful settlements of Tatopani, Khorlabesi, and Tharo Khola.

After trekking past Labubesi and Khursane Villages during the last stretch, you will trek across the paddy fields to reach Soti Khola Village, located at the bank of Budhi Gandaki.

Elevation Loss: 185 meters/ 606 feet

Trek Duration: 5-6 hours

This day’s trek adventure will mark the end of your exhilarating Himalayan exploration. After breakfast, you will follow the trails along the lush hills, which will reward you with breathtaking views of Ganesh Himal and Manaslu.

Enjoying walking on the charming trails of the Budhi Gandaki Valley, you will first reach the Arkhet Bazaar. Then, a short walk from here will lead you to the Arughat Bazaar, your resting point on this day’s trek.

Elevation Gain: 810 meters

Drive Duration: 6-7 hours

The time to bid farewell to this hidden valley has come. Concluding your Tsum Valley Trek on this day you will drive back to Kathmandu after enjoying hearty Himalayan breakfast. This is an exciting day’s drive as you will move past the enthralling trails alongside the Marsyangdi and Trishuli Rivers.

Driving past the lush forested hills, terraced farms, and vibrant settlements at the banks, enjoying the looming beauty of the magnificent Himalayas in the north will certainly be a remarkable experience. Upon reaching the capital, our representative will drop you back at your respective hotels; you can do some short excursions and stroll around the city after getting some rest.

This will be a leisure day in your exciting hidden valley exploration of the Himalayas. You can do the exploration of the cultural and historical sites that you missed during your sightseeing day. If you want to shop for the governors to remember your exciting journey, you can visit the cultural sites and famous marketplaces in the city for authentic products.

In the evening, Nepal Guide Treks will host a farewell dinner to celebrate the completion of your exciting trek and our friendship. Overnight stay in the hotel in the city.

This will be the day of your international flight departure. Depending on your flight schedules, we will make the arrangements for your departure. Our representative will pick you at your hotel and help you with the checkout procedure.

We recommend you make preparations to reach the airport terminal at least 2-3 hours before your actual flight schedules. Thank you for trekking with Nepal Guides Trek, have a safe trip.